What's the difference between a Medicare broker and a Medicare agent?

Question

Lea Ayres · Accepted Answer

The main difference between a Medicare broker and a Medicare agent is that brokers represent multiple insurance companies and can present a broader range of Medicare plans, while agents typically represent one insurance company and offer a more limited selection of plans.

Answered by Lea Ayres on March 12, 2025

Broker Licensed in PA, CT, MD & 8 other states

Answered by Lea Ayres Medicare Insurance Agent

Tasha Riggs · Answer

An Agent Typically works FOR the insurance company. A Broker works with more than one. 
As a broker I do contract with all the Medicare plans but some agents may only have some of them companies. You can ask them who they are all contracted with so you feel you are getting a fair understanding of all options not just the ones they represent.

William Lawler · Answer

While an agent may be captive and only represent one health care company, a Medicare broker represents many different health care companies, and therefore, a broker can find you the best plan to fit your needs.

Answered by William Lawler on March 29, 2025

Broker Licensed in MO, FL, IA & 12 other states

Answered by William Lawler Medicare Insurance Agent

Charise Karjala · Answer

This answer is provided in a video format. Watch the agent's video response here: https://medicareagentshub.com/questions/whats-the-difference-between-a-medicare-agent-and-a-medicare-broker#charise-karjala

Amy Putrino · Answer

Medicare Agents are capitive agents that work directly for a company/carrier.  They are unable to discuss or comment on the competitors plans.  
Medicare Brokers, like myself, are able to discuss multiple companies/plan options.  You can ask me questions about a few different plans and we can compare your options.  This saves you time and allows you to get your answers without calling multiple companies.

Bryan Smith · Answer

There really isn't difference, the main thing to know is that your Agent/Broker does not work for 1 specific insurance company. That way there is no bias in the plan offerings.

Vincent Esposito · Answer

Medicare brokers usually can show prospects different options.  A insurance company medicare agent will only explain to members the plans that the company sells.

Shawn Brown · Answer

A broker represents multiple and, in some cases, all carriers, while an agent only represents one carrier. A broker is generally only paid commissions by the carrier they assist the client they've enroll in while an agent traditionally is paid a salary plus commissions.

Answered by Shawn Brown on March 27, 2025

Broker Licensed in FL, AL, CO & 7 other states

Answered by Shawn Brown Medicare Insurance Agent

John Henley · Answer

Typically, a broker owns a small insurance company that may also produce, and an agent is usually a producer who works for the broker or the brokerage company.

Steven Bleicher · Answer

Easy. A broker, a.k.a., an independent rep is affiliated with various Medicare- compliant insurance companies while an agent “could” be a captive agent who can only offer you the plans of the one firm that she/he works for. It is important to get 2-3 “diagnoses” from various agents or you could miss out on better as well as cheaper premium plans.

Answered by Steven Bleicher on May 2, 2025

Broker Licensed in AZ

Answered by Steven Bleicher Medicare Insurance Agent

Norman Smith · Answer

A broker works with several companies to provide options for you.
An agent is an individual who may be captive to 1 company and sell you on their plans.

Michael Pyers · Answer

Agents normally only contract and represent only one carrier.
Brokers handle more plans and give you more options.

Using the Medicare Name is not permitted, especially if you represent yourself as being a representative of Medicare.

John L Herman Jr · Answer

A Licensed Agent may work for just ONE INSURANCE CARRIER…perhaps CIGNA, AETNA, HUMANA, CAREFIRST, UNITED HEALTHCARE…and therefore be predisposed to advise you that his or her company has the best Plan for the client.

An Independent Broker is someone who can be “appointed” by all of the Insurance Carriers and therefore be in the best position to advise the client.  An Independent Broker guides the client to the best Plan that fits their budget, their health situation, their risk level, which Doctors the client sees, and even which Pharmacies the client uses.

Steve Houchens · Answer

An agent typically represents only one company while a broker represents multiple companies giving you a broader range of products to choose from

Tammy Stoner · Answer

A Medicare broker is independent and contracted with multiple companies that provide coverage in conjunction with Medicare. For example, Medicare Advantage plans and Medicare Supplement plans.

A Medicare agent would work directly for Medicare.

Jon Maves · Answer

Big difference!  A Medicare agent is someone who typically is tied to one specific insurance company so can only offer plans from that company.  A Medicare broker is someone who is connected with multiple insurance companies and does not have a specific allegiance to one carrier so they can be impartial and offer you the best plan for you as an individual.

I am a broker and I always tell people that everyone is unique and Medicare plans are not a one size fits all.  I often times have a couple that I work with and the husband and wife have different plans with different companies due to health issues, medications, doctors, etc.  

It is important to see all the options to weigh what is the best situation for you as an individual.

Ginger Gibbs · Answer

Mostly they are the same thing - but a Medicare agent typically only represents one or two carriers, when a broker contracts with many more carriers and doesn't work/sell for only one specific carrier.

Answered by Ginger Gibbs on March 31, 2025

Broker Licensed in NV, AZ, CA & 14 other states

Answered by Ginger Gibbs Medicare Insurance Agent

Mel Stevens · Answer

In general, Medicare agents work for just one company like Humana or United Health Care. Medicare brokers work for multiple carriers. Even though large reputable conglomerates like United and Humana have policies that can serve well for many insureds, they don't always have the best benefits for everyone as everybody's needs are different. I believe it's always best practice to review your Medicare options and Benefits with a Medicare broker.

Answered by Mel Stevens on May 12, 2025

Broker Licensed in AZ

Answered by Mel Stevens Medicare Insurance Agent

Phyllis Dixon · Answer

There are two answers to this question: to sum it up, not as much as one might think.
1. Most states don't have official separate licensing called a broker license. A few may.
Listing to the public as broker most of the time doesn't mean an official separate license title different from licensed agent. It's a way to attempt to signal they are contracted to sell products from more than one insurance company. Note: I taught insurance pre-licensing and continuing education for 12 years. 
2. Any licensed insurance professional selling Medicare plans has to follow certain rules. If they are doing marketing for specific Medicare plans they (whether listing as agent or broker) are required to state how many insurance companies they offer and how many total policy options they have in the specific designated marketing area for all the companies represented.

Marisol Torres · Answer

Medicare broker- respresents multiple insurance carriers. Medicare agent- same but may be more limited.

What's the difference between a Medicare broker and a Medicare agent?

Agents: Share Your Expertise

Seniors: Ask a Question of Your Own

Related Questions

Agent Locator

Medicare Agents Hub
A non-government resource website

What's the difference between a Medicare broker and a Medicare agent?

Agents: Share Your Expertise

Seniors: Ask a Question of Your Own

Related Questions

Agent Locator

Medicare Agents HubA non-government resource website

Medicare Agents Hub
A non-government resource website